And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

MARK 12:10KJV
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Mark 12:10 (KJV)

What does Mark 12:10 mean?

Mark 12:10 quotes a well-known scripture, saying, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.” This means that someone or something dismissed as unimportant or unworthy has now become the most important part, like a cornerstone in a building.

In Mark 12:10, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders in Jerusalem after telling a parable about tenants who mistreated the owner’s servants and son. By quoting this scripture, Jesus points to himself as the “stone” rejected by the leaders (“builders”), but chosen by God for the most honored place. The verse draws from Psalm 118:22 and challenges the leaders’ assumptions about who is truly favored by God.

The Greek behind Mark 12:10

  • “λίθος” (lithos, G3037) means “stone.” Here, it refers to a person being compared to a stone in a building, highlighting the idea of being foundational or essential.
  • “οἰκοδομοῦντες” (oikodomountes, G3618) means “builders.” This word often refers to those responsible for constructing something, and in this context, it points to the religious leaders as those with authority to “build” the community.
  • “ἀπεδοκίμασαν” (apedokimasan, G593) means “rejected.” The Greek word carries the sense of testing something and deciding it is not good enough, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the rejection.
  • “κεφαλὴν γωνίας” (kephalēn gōnias, G2776 + G1137) means “head of the corner” or “cornerstone.” This phrase describes the most important stone in a building’s foundation, symbolizing the highest place of honor and support.

Why Mark 12:10 matters

  • Mark 12:10 clarifies that Jesus is identifying himself as the rejected “stone,” directly confronting the religious leaders’ rejection of him.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ story to Old Testament prophecy, showing continuity between his mission and God’s earlier promises.
  • Understanding the “cornerstone” image helps readers see how something dismissed by people can be central to God’s plan, challenging assumptions about worth and authority.

Where else these words appear

“rejected” Greek G593 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
  • Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
  • Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

“corner” Greek G1137 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
  • 1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

“ye” Greek G314 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
  • Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not,(let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
  • Acts 15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

“builders” Greek G3618 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Acts 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.